首里城の火災現場を公開　正殿跡など主要部、報道陣に―沖縄

　那覇市の首里城を管理する「沖縄美ら島財団」は４日、昨年１０月の火災で焼失した首里城の正殿跡や北殿など主要施設周辺を報道陣に公開した。沖縄県警による捜査が終結し、これまでより広いエリアの立ち入りが認められた。
　焼失した正殿の土台は灰で覆われ、周囲には屋根瓦や炭化した木材の破片が飛散。焼けた分電盤やひしゃげた金属片も残されていた。世界遺産に登録され、見学者用にガラス張りされていた地下遺構はブルーシートで保護されていた。
　内閣府沖縄総合事務局によると、５日からがれき撤去に向けた準備作業を開始。焼損した北殿や南殿などは取り壊し、焼け残った二つの石の彫刻「大龍柱」は補修する。ゴールデンウイークには、遺構を一般公開する予定だという。（2020/02/04-12:21）

Shuri Castle's main buildings devastated by last October's fire were shown to the media on Tuesday.
   The Okinawa Churashima Foundation, which manages the castle in Naha, the capital of the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa, allowed reporters to enter wider areas of the devastated local landmark than before, now that police have completed their investigations into the fire.
   The base of Shuri Castle's "Seiden" main building is covered with ash, with roof tiles and pieces of charred wood scattered around. A burned power distribution board and distorted metal pieces are also seen at the site.
   The castle's underground ruins, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, which had been shown to visitors through glass floors before the fire, are now covered with blue tarps for protection.
   According to the Cabinet Office's Okinawa General Bureau, preparatory work for removing rubble will begin on Wednesday. The castle's "Hokuden" and "Nanden" halls, also heavily damaged by the fire, will be demolished, while two dragon-shaped stone pillars that survived the fire will be repaired.